Help identifying strange infrastructure in 4ft

[bullet22]

Bolted to two sleepers and bonded to the rails. Looks dis-used. It's in the 4ft. Pretty big.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Oct 2024 ==

Bolted to two sleepers and bonded to the rails. Looks dis-used. It's in the 4ft. Pretty big.

another pic

 

[Railsigns]

Knowing its actual location would probably help a lot.

 

[bullet22]

Knowing its actual location would probably help a lot.

its actual location or just its location?

 

[Railsigns]

I guess you don't want an answer to your question. I wrote "its actual location" in anticipation of some smarta**e replying with "in the 4ft".

 

[rower40]

And which way round is it? Is the slot parallel to the rails or to the sleepers?

 

[bullet22]

I guess you don't want an answer to your question. I wrote "its actual location" in anticipation of some smarta**e replying with "in the 4ft".

You need to know where on the network it’s located before you know if you know what it is or not?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Oct 2024 ==

And which way round is it? Is the slot parallel to the rails or to the sleepers?

the slot is parallel to the sleepers, square to the rails. I’m told the flap protruding from the slot wiggles/bounces underfoot. It’s bonded (or was) so I think signalling infrastructure but looks disused now. I was thinking the partial remnants of an old type of HABD maybe?

Thanks

 

[ex-probationer]

Just a guess, perhaps it's the remains of a 'low-hanging coupling' detector? Many, many years ago, they were a response to dealing with smashed AWS magnets.

 

[bullet22]

Just a guess, perhaps it's the remains of a 'low-hanging coupling' detector? Many, many years ago, they were a response to dealing with smashed AWS magnets.

That’s an excellent suggestion thanks!

 

[ex-probationer]

Is the location of the mystery item just past the exit of a major goods yard, past or present?

The only 'low-coupling detector' I knew of, was located on the Up Harwich Line leaving Parkeston Quay. The unit sat in the 4-foot and when triggered caused an alarm on the panel at Parkeston SB. I think the main issue was with the couplings of continental goods wagons coming over on the Harwich Train Ferry. I guess the problem with smashed AWS magnets was ultimately solved with the abolition of loose coupled freight trains.

The attached photograph of the panel at Parkeston was taken by me in 2008, it shows the location of the 'low-coupling detector' and presumable the alarm cancellation switch covered by the red reminder collar.

 

[zwk500]

You need to know where on the network it’s located before you know if you know what it is or not?

For rare or unusual items, knowing the geographic location can *significantly* help narrow down what it might be as they would have had limited or even 1-time only installations. For example, if this isn't located at Parkeston it probably isn't a low coupling detector.

 

[bullet22]

Is the location of the mystery item just past the exit of a major goods yard, past or present?

The only 'low-coupling detector' I knew of, was located on the Up Harwich Line leaving Parkeston Quay. The unit sat in the 4-foot and when triggered caused an alarm on the panel at Parkeston SB. I think the main issue was with the couplings of continental goods wagons coming over on the Harwich Train Ferry. I guess the problem with smashed AWS magnets was ultimately solved with the abolition of loose coupled freight trains.

The attached photograph of the panel at Parkeston was taken by me in 2008, it shows the location of the 'low-coupling detector' and presumable the alarm cancellation switch covered by the red reminder collar.

View attachment 167408.

View attachment 167408

I think you’re right - it’s on the Arr/Dep line out of the Tyne Yard on the ECML. I had a sneaky feeling that sharing the exact location of this object would be key to uncovering its purpose. The remains of a dis-used low coupling detector, more hassle than it’s worth to remove, that sounds like the most feasible answer. Thanks ex-probationer!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Oct 2024 ==

For rare or unusual items, knowing the geographic location can *significantly* help narrow down what it might be as they would have had limited or even 1-time only installations. For example, if this isn't located at Parkeston it probably isn't a low coupling detector.

Yes you’re right of course. I didn’t know the location of the device until I logged on this morning, I am trying to identify it on behalf of a colleague who provided its location overnight.